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There have been few new voices in the jazz world that have caused as much of a stir and possessed as much individuality as Miguel Zenón. The buzz began with his quartet’s first Marsalis Music release, Ceremonial, a program of original compositions that appeared in 2004. Jíbaro, his second disc, followed a year later, and its bold reinterpretation of the rural music of ... Read more in Amazon's Miguel Zenón Store

Editorial Reviews

Interpreting popular songs is part of the stock in trade of a jazz musician. Now, on Alma Adentro:The Puerto Rican Songbook Miguel Zenon brings that jazz tradition home - his home. Comprised of ten songs by five of the most of the most important Puerto Rican songwriters in history, Bobby Capo, Tite Curet Alonso, Pedro Flores, Rafael Hernandez, and Sylvia Rexach, who Zenon refers to as ''the George Gershwins, Cole Porters and Jerome Kerns of Puerto Rican song,'' Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook illustrates the musical and cultural impact these songs have had. Augmenting his core quartet - Luis Perdomo, piano; Hans Glawischnig, bass; and Henry Cole, drums - with a 10-piece wind ensemble, Zenon recorded the group playing in the same room, live ''to capture that certain energy.''

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I also caught this group playing this material at Yoshi's Oakland just a couple of nights ago...Lemme tell ya...you want a great seat...book just one ticket. Front row...if it was Miles, I would have been covered in spit. The drummer was unreal. The bass player was incredible, the pianist had chops and finesse like Herbie mixed with Tristano. Then there's this sax player...Miguel has a bit of Paquito to his sound...which borders on perfection. He's putting together some extraordinary music that turns on a dime. If I had any complaint to make, I'd say I want the music to be more dangerous. It's powerful and rich, but it's perfection could use some of the unknown. I'd like to be around when the group works these tunes out.Maybe get Tom Waits in there on cow bell.You want the pro new york puerto rico thing? You want traditional latin jazz taken out? These guys are it!

This recording brings together 10 beautiful songs that are an important part of Puerto Rico's musical legacy. In this type of recording there is always a danger that the original musical notes will be buried by jazz improvisation. However, this recording has the right balance, it is always possible to enjoy the beautiful original notes and still enjoy the new jazz versions by extremely talented musicians. The innovative improvisations retain the charm of the original musical notes, while adding new dimensions to these musical treasures.

I love this album. I think Miguel Zenon has a great sense of composition which shows in his arrangements for these songs. They are complex and also very diverse in style and mood. I bought this album for my brother who is a sax player himself. He asked me, how did you find this guy? He found the album inspiring. I recommend this album to anyone who loves jazz and also appreciates arrangements that don't wholely depend on improvisation.